Medium D mintmark. Variety 44-HH.

With a mintage of just 10,366, the 1859-D has the second lowest issuance of any half eagle from this mint. It is a bit more available than generally acknowledged although it is rare in properly graded AU58 and very rare in full Mint State.

This is a classic “slider” with the appearance of an MS62 to MS63 but just a touch of friction on the high spots. I doubt this coin saw any actual circulation and the reverse is quite choice with nearly full luster. Both sides show pleasing medium golden-orange toning with some rose shading which are most noticeable at the peripheral reverse. Other than a few small marks in the left obverse and above the eagle’s head, the fields are clean and choice.

The last PCGS AU58 example of this date to sell at auction was a non-CAC coin offered as Stacks Bowers 11/11:9529 which brought $5,175.

With common date PCGS AU58/CAC Dahlonega half eagles now bringing in the $5,000-6,000 range, this better date at just a small premium seems like good value to me.

CAC has approved three in this grade with one finer (best is MS63).